Guests' reviews
Pedram Nick Aryan | Feb 6, 2018
Get your tickets in advance. It’s easy and quick online. Otherwise the queue can be 1-3 hours long easily. The entrance and the exterior architecture is quite interesting. The museum is set up really nicely and it’s as if you’re walking through Van Gogh’s life with a timeline. The paintings are beautiful of course and can spend 2-3 hours here seeing everything without rushing too much. There should be a distinction between the permanent collection and the special exhibition. This wasn’t highlighted clearly to us. But all in all a great experience and highly recommend to any art lover
Michelle Warren | Feb 21, 2018
A very good experience. Not knowing much about the artist, I would have liked more substantial information on the way round. There's plenty of his works, and other pieces relevant to his influences and life. I liked that the pieces were organised predominantly in a timeline. The museum itself is set on lovely grounds and all the facilities and shops are of a high standard. I had a lovely afternoon's visit.
Laura I | Feb 28, 2018
One of the best museums in Amsterdam. If you want to make the best of it, just make reservations online on their official website. If you do this, you don’t need to stay in line. If you don’t have tickets you can buy online and make reservations. If you have museum pass or museum card or any other type of pass you can make the reservation for free, you only need to show your card at the entrance. If you make reservations you will have the best time: NO NEED TO WAIT IN LINE. Also, take an audio guide. It’s 5 euros and it’s totally worth it.
Tiffany Yeung | Jan 27, 2018
Would definitely recommend getting your ticket ahead of time online (it's easy and quick and you won't have to wait in line). Which will help you get to the coat check line is way faster. And trust me, you need it. Especially if you're going in the winter and you are wearing a thick jacket. The museum itself was lovely though I wish that they drew more attention to the special exhibits and made it easier to find (the entrance was separate from the permanent exhibit and beside a gift shop so I got distracted 🙄). I spent about 2.5 hours here and got to see everything without feeling rushed
Staunch Traveler | Feb 23, 2018
I was really positivity surprised. So manny beautiful paintings and a good view in the life of Vincent van Gogh. All the important paintings are here to see.
I would advice you too take an audio guide. They have them in many languages. The guide gives you really extra info, especially useful because the info next to the paintings is sometimes scares and many other people want to read it at the same time. So its more relaxed to stand back and listen. 😉
The museum is easy accessible, spacious and has a wardrobe.
Enjoy your time.
Steveinspain Kap | Mar 21, 2018
Exceptional! Book online to get in quick, even if it's a euro more. We were there mid March and had to wait outside with temps of 0! Very well laid out and with stairs and elevator everything was easy access. The works there are incredible, awe inspiring. Get the guide for five euros. There was so much I didn't know about him. It's really quite a sad story. There's also lot's of background information on key works so well worth the cash. The building is wonderful. The Dutch use of light is ingenious. You're allowed to get pretty close, close enough to see his brush strokes. I visited this museum for the first time 33 years ago as a backpacker and now as a 50 something year old I have certainly appreciated it more. Must see!
Michele Paulatto | Mar 30, 2018
The works of Van Gogh are absolutely stunning, but the museum could be improved in some ways.
The museum hosts many of the most famous paintings plus drawings, sketches, letters and various objects. These are displayed following the different phases of the painter's life and are accompanied by detailed explanations and anecdotes from his life.
Many know Van Gogh only for being a bit crazy and don't realize how prolific and hard working he was, producing several hundred paintings in just 10 years of artistic career. On his later days he was producing almost one new painting per day.
Now the negatives. I felt the light was a bit low and the descriptions printed too small. The museum can get really crowded as it is one of the most popular destinations in Amsterdam. Better signage and crowd management could help with congestion. It would also help if the opening times were extended.
Edwin Rivera | Mar 29, 2018
Its a nice Museum close to other amazing ones. Its very difficult to take pictures of the paintings. If you take one, make it carefully since guards will go and tell you to stop. Nice small store too. Wish they had "The starry night" painting but its in another museum and they don't sell anything there of that painting because of copyright.
Janice Keddie | Apr 6, 2018
Loved it here, Van Gogh is one of my favourite artists, so really loved seeing amazing paintings I've only ever seen in books before.
On a practical note, you're only allowed to take small bags inside - others must be left at the cloakroom. The cloakroom is run very efficiently and is free, but the sheer numbers of people meant huge queues to collect our things.
Kyle Mostert | Mar 27, 2018
The Van Gogh Museum was a wonderful experience. I particularly like how the museum portrayed his life, who he influences as well as who influenced him. It's a good idea to get there early, take an unconventional approach and start at the top floor and work yourself down. Bring some extra cash with you as there are many affordable goods for sale. This was truely a great experience.
Anne Tell | May 12, 2018
Be prepared to join a queue to leave bags, backpacks etc (if you must take them) before starting out to view the paintings. We made use of the audio guide available and found this to be most enjoyable and illuminating. Being able to view at our own pace and order was also freeing. One of us has had a long-standing interest in art, the other is just discovering more now. Would we go back again? Definitely, and that goes for both of us!
Trish Digliodo | Apr 29, 2018
First step - get your tickets online. Then, enjoy this awesome museum. My heart hurt when I left. What an amazingly talented individual with such incredibly heartbreaking mental health issues. Kudos to his brother, sister-in-law and nephew for being champions of his artwork once he passed. Very informative museum!
Grace Aguilar | May 14, 2018
Book online and be on time. Give yourself a few hours to enjoy all the beautiful artwork. Pay the extra euros for the audio tour to get a better understanding of most art pieces, and the life of Van Gogh. A camera is not really necessary since you're not a allowed to take pictures of almost anything. Don't look like a dummy when you get caught trying to sneak a picture. Just enjoy what is in front of you.
If you're like me, and traveled from another side of the world, buy something from the gift shop. Sure things are pricey, but how often can you visit the Van Gogh museum?
Tony Tandeski | May 9, 2018
If you’re an art lover, it’s a must-stop. Even if Van Gogh isn’t your favorite of the greats, the museum is worth the trip. The museum does a great job at teaching you about the life of the man behind the paintings, appealing to those who enjoy art, history, or both. It’s also the only place you’ll find some of his most famous paintings, including the one believed to be his last.
If you want to go, buy tickets online ahead of time so you make sure you get in and so you can skip the line. Don’t bring big bags or suitcases. You can’t bring them in. But you can check backpacks and coats for free. Audio tours cost a few euro extra, otherwise the captions on the walls do a great job of telling Van Gogh’s story. This place gets very busy, so if you want to see it all, plan for a couple hours at least. Bonus: It’s in a very nice area with a nearby park and other museums, so plan to stick around that part of the city for a bit.
Werner Schott | Jun 10, 2018
How can I give this less than a perfect review. Amazing building in a beautiful green setting. The collection is magnificent and being a Van Gogh fan, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. Excellent facilities including food and a great shop with beautiful posters. If you are travelling and don’t want to carry them with you, they’ll even ship them to your home address for a modest fee. Wonderful!
Steve Petch | Jun 14, 2018
A great experience, looking at the world of the man himself. Home to a few Picasso works too. It is great to see how proud the Dutch are of him and his legacy. I would recommend this place to everyone, not just fans of art. The information supplied is comprehensive but easy to absorb. The queues are often long but it is definitely worth the wait.
Andrew Madison | Jun 14, 2018
When my wife and I were thinking of doing a museum on our trip to Amsterdam, we weren't sure what to do. After a lot of reading, we decided on the Van Gogh museum, and we were not disappointed. We were expecting to spend about two hours here, but we got swept up in the art. We totally recommend getting the multimedia guide as it is very well done.
Get tickets kn advance so you can skip the lines!
Jennifer Sims | Jun 9, 2018
I mean, it’s Van Gogh, the art is going to be great. The museum is generally well laid out, but they need to restrict entrance more than they already do. The museum gets packed with tourists, many of whom have deplorable museum etiquette. The audio guide for the permanent collection is worth it for the casual museum goer, but not for the art enthusiast, as it’s nothing but common information. The Japan and Van Gogh exhibit currently running is excellent, and all guests should get the audio guide for this exhibit as it’s full of interesting tidbits. Visit off-season if you can.
Audrey Sim | Jul 7, 2018
As a lifelong fan of Van Gogh I had to visit here on our short trip to Amsterdam. Buying tickets online was easy and they put them in my apple wallet. I loved the video sent via email which was personalized with my name and gave easy instructions for our visit. The entire experience at the museum was very easy and modern. We took the first entry time which I highly recommend. The visit was very moving and everything was presented with class and a lot of thought. The story they told about the almond blossom painting was particularly moving.
Jimena Rico | Jul 15, 2018
I wanted to come to this museum since I was a child and it fulfilled my expectations. You can only buy tickets online. The earlier the better. I definitely recommend buying the audio guide, even though it doesn’t have the same order as the paintings. I also loved the museum shops. And we really enjoyed our 3 hour visit to this museum. It’s now my favorite museum.
Ivy Kihara | Jul 12, 2018
Super security to get in. But it's all the lovely paintings. Don't get why we can't take pictures. Very inspiring. A bit unhappy that the audio guide does not go in order of the paintings. You have to search for the paintings by number. Important to get the audio guide. Worth the extra you pay. Adds to the experience. Lovely gift shop and cafe. Unfortunately for me, I am extremely short sighted so some of the text is too small- applies to quite a number of museums. Very busy over the summer so couldn't be lost in sunflowers and some of the other less famous but beautiful pieces. Enjoyed it immensely!
Cory Senti | Aug 11, 2018
That man was a tortured soul. He was also a prolific artist having painted almost two paintings a day. You wouldn't think his art would be as valuable as it is since he cranked them out like cord wood. And not all of it was, certainly not while he was alive (which just goes to show that marketing is vitally important).
So you are just going to have to buy tickets on line and then go see for yourself. It is definitely worth the trip. It is both specific enough and short enough (3 hours or so to see their collection and enjoy a short talk), to give a person a look into his life.
I'd like to have had more info on his brother, Theo. Theo was the supporter both emotionally and financially. Still, that didn't keep Vincent from hurting himself. Proof positive that there is only so much you can do.
Anyway, buy your tickets on line several days in advance or you won't get in. Give yourself 40 minutes from Central Station so you can get lost twice and still make your check in time. I didn't get lost but the tram broke down half way and...
Panayiotis Georgiou | Aug 3, 2018
We bought our tickets online from the museum before our trip.
A great experience, looking at the world of the man himself. Home to a few Picasso works too. It is great to see how proud the Dutch are of him and his legacy.
I would recommend this place to everyone, not just fans of art. The information supplied is comprehensive but easy to absorb. The queues are often long but it is definitely worth the wait.
Gwyn Evans | Aug 16, 2018
Amazing to see so many of these paintings in one place and up close. You have to book a ticket and time on line but at least you can get times on the following day as we did. Use the museum's own site as there are others offering tickets too. We took around 3 hours to go round. Lovely park outside too.
Aaron Daniels | Aug 14, 2018
Arguably one of the most intelligently curated collections you can see. The walls contain the works that inspired the Van Gogh right next to it. Excellent way to really understand his context, life, and inspirations. Buy your tickets in advance. They will probably let you in a little before your timestamp slot. No pictures and you coat-check your bags. Even with the ticket control, it is a very popular place and can become crowded.
